Bright Eyes

Conor Oberst, the singer/songwriter from Omaha, Nebraska, began his musical journey as Bright Eyes while still a teenager in the mid-'90s. With his quivery vocals and dark, tortured solo songs, Bright Eyes quickly became an icon in the sad indie music scene. Backed by multi-instrumentalists Mike Mogis and Nate Walcott, Bright Eyes released several acclaimed albums on Oberst's indie label Saddle Creek, including the chart-topping Digital Ash in a Digital Urn. After a hiatus, the band returned in 2020 with their ninth studio album, Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was, under Dead Oceans.

The project Bright Eyes originated in 1994 when Oberst, then just 14, garnered attention as a member of Omaha band Commander Venus. He later released a solo record under the Bright Eyes moniker, leading to collaborations with artists like Neutral Milk Hotel and Of Montreal. As Bright Eyes evolved, incorporating a wider range of instruments and musical styles, Oberst also pursued solo endeavors and side projects like Desaparecidos. Despite critical acclaim and commercial success, Oberst continued to explore new sounds and collaborations, culminating in the band's ongoing legacy and recent reissue project with Dead Oceans.